Modular vinyl fencing system

ABSTRACT

A new fencing system is provided in the present disclosure that is constructed from durable polymer components that are sufficiently rigid and durable while providing an integrated modular assembly that is easy to assembly and well suited to a do-it-yourself marketplace. In particular, the present invention provides an integrated system of interfitting vinyl components and a unique polycarbonate or ABS clip for interconnection thereof. The fence includes vertical posts with horizontal members extending therebetween. The horizontal members include grooves therein to support fence panels in the form of web panels. The horizontal members are connected to the vertical members utilizing a novel and uniquely configured connector element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/382,941, filed on May 12, 2006, which is a continuation inpart of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/687,182, filed on Oct. 16,2003, which is related to and claims priority from earlier filedprovisional patent application No. 60/419,502, filed Oct. 18, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forcreating fencing systems. More specifically, the this invention relatesto a new modular configuration that is particularly suited forfabricating and assembling vinyl fencing systems that are easier toinstall and are tailored to the do-it-yourself marketplace.

In the prior art, the vertical post members and the horizontal railsupports used in constructing fences have typically been made of wood.However, the traditional wood construction has become less desirable forseveral reasons. A primary drawback is that the overall cost ofinstalling and maintaining a wooden fence system is relatively high dueto the escalation in the cost of lumber materials in recent years andthe fact that wood fences require constant maintenance such as paintingor staining and prevention of rot. This is particularly true when woodenposts supporting a fence are anchored in the ground. If the posts faildue to rot, the entire fence is rendered useless. Although anchoring theposts in concrete can postpone these effects, it does not eliminatethem. In addressing the preservation of the wood materials, the industryhas created a secondary drawback related to the use of highly toxicpreservatives to prevent the wood from rotting.

Further, fences have historically been designed and erected as permanentstructures, without providing for subsequent removal or alteration.These permanent structures are been built on-site from the desiredfencing materials, such as chain link or raw lumber, yielding integratedstructures that cannot be easily dismantled without damaging thematerials. The result is that most of these prior art fences that areconstructed “on site” as unitary structures, are highly labor intensiveand quite expensive to have initially installed. Additionally, woodfences constructed in this manner from raw lumber can also benon-uniform in appearance, detracting from their aesthetic qualities.This problem is further amplified when the installation process isattempted by a do-it-yourself installer who has relatively littleexperience in working with traditional fencing systems.

As an alternative to the wood fencing systems, fences having plastichorizontal rails that snap into vertical plastic posts are known.Typically, these plastic rails have snap-in connections formed on theirends and they “snap-in” directly to the plastic posts. Problemstypically encountered with this type of plastic fence constructioninclude the fact that these constructions do not take into account theexpansion and contraction of the plastic and also that the support railsmay tend to rotate in response to varying thermal conditions. Further,some of these plastic fences are made of a material that has sufficientplasticity to result in sagging rails and bending posts over time.

There is therefore a need to provide an esthetically pleasing fence thatovercomes the above noted drawbacks associated with wood fencingsystems. Further there is a need for a fencing system that is relativelyinexpensive and durable, yet can be dismantled and reassembled insections by a do-it-yourself consumer, if desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard, the present invention provides for a new fencing systemconstructed from durable polymer components that is sufficiently rigidand durable while providing an integrated modular assembly that is easyto assembly and well suited to a do-it-yourself marketplace. Inparticular, the present invention provides an integrated system ofinterfitting vinyl components and a unique polycarbonate or ABS clip forinterconnection thereof. The entire fencing system is configured to snaptogether in a manner that eliminates the need for the use of toolsduring assembly.

The present invention includes vertical post elements, top and bottomhorizontal rail elements, a novel connector clip and a webbing panelthat is retained therein. The vertical posts are extruded material andmay be of any suitable profile for fencing posts. At least two openingsare provided in the sidewall of the vertical posts. Retention clips areinserted in to each of the openings in the vertical posts. When theclips are inserted into the openings in the posts, a portion of theclips momentarily deflect and then return to their undeflected state toengage the wall of the vertical tube. Due to the shape of the clips andthe manner in which they engage the wall of the vertical tube, the clipsresist being withdrawn from the vertical tubes and resist deflection orrotation.

The top and bottom horizontal rails each have openings in the endsthereof, allowing these members to slide over the retention clips. Smalldetent openings are provided in the sidewall of these tubes that engagea mating configuration on the retention clips when the rails are snappedinto place. In this manner, the top and bottom rails are also firmlyretained forming a unitary structure between the vertical fence postsand the top and bottom rails. The top and bottom rails also include acontinuous longitudinal groove therein for receiving fencing panels.

The present invention also anticipates the possibility of employingintermediate rail members. In this manner the intermediate rails wouldhave longitudinal grooves provided in both their top and bottom sidesfor receiving the top edge of one panel and the bottom edge of anotherthereby allowing two or more different panels to be employed in the samesection of fence.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is theprovision of an integrated modular vinyl fencing system. Another objectof the present invention is the provision of a durable vinyl fencesystem that exhibits improved structural characteristics as compared tothe prior art. Yet another object of the present invention is theprovision of a vinyl fencing system that is constructed of modularcomponents that can be made to be easily interchangeable andreconfigurable. A further object of the present invention is theprovision of a modular vinyl fence system that includes standardizedconstruction components that is further capable of being easilydisassembled and reused in alternate configurations.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled fence system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the connection between thehorizontal rail and the vertical support;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 a is an alternative cross-sectional view thereof taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rail connector mounted to thevertical support with the horizontal rail removed;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the connector element of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector element installed inthe vertical support as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment connectorelement of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly manufactured inaccordance with the modular principals of the system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of a latch assembly for use in the modularfence system of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a latch assembly for use in the modularfence system of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a corner connector use in the modularfence system of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a front elevational view of an alternate embodimentconnector element of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a plan view of the connector element of FIG. 13A; and

FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view of the connector element taken alongthe line 13C-13C in FIG. 13B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the fencing system of the presentinvention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-6.Further, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustratedand generally indicated at 100 in FIG. 7. In addition, various othercomponents such as alternate rail connectors, a hinge, a latch and acorner connector are depicted in FIGS. 8-13. As will hereinafter be morefully described, the fencing system 10 is assembled in sections whereineach section includes at least two vertical support posts 12 with atleast two horizontal rails 14 extending therebetween. Each section ofthe fence system 10 may also include a fencing panel 16 supportedbetween the horizontal rails 14 and caps 18 installed onto the verticalsupports 12. The present invention therefore provides a convenient andeconomical modular fencing system 10 that is easily assembled andinstalled making the system convenient for both permanent and temporaryfence installations that has not been previously available in the priorart. It should be further noted that the fencing system 10 of thepresent invention is particularly advantageous as compared to the priorart in that every component is arranged to be snap fit while eliminatingthe need for using tools during assembly thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 1, several adjacent sections of the fencing system10 of the present invention are shown fully assembled. The fencingsystem 10 is configured to be a modular system that is equally effectivewhen installed as a single section, two linear adjacent sections or anyconceivable arrangement of any number of interconnected sections. Theadjacent sections of fencing may be disposed linearly, at 90° to oneanother, in a “T” configuration or at any relative angle required in aparticular installation. For the purposes of the detailed descriptionthe interrelationship of the various components will be described in thecontext of a single fencing section although the concepts and principalsof this disclosure can be extrapolated to any of the configurationsdescribed above with equal success.

As stated above, the fencing system 10 includes vertical supports 12 orfence posts. The vertical supports 12 in the present invention aretubular shaped members. While in the preferred embodiment the tubularmembers are shown to have a square cross-sectional profile, the tubescould be formed in any desired cross-section including but not limitedto rectangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, octagonal andcombinations thereof. The vertical support members 12 are installed in aparallel spaced apart relation in the desired location where the fencingwill be installed. The vertical supports 12 could be installed bydirectly burying a portion of the support 12 into the ground or could beinstalled into support member (not shown) that may or may not befastened to the ground. By using a support member the reconfigurabilityand temporary installation of the fence system 10 of the presentinvention may be enhanced. It should be understood that the manner inwhich the vertical posts 12 are anchored to the environment where thefence system 10 is installed is not critical to the present invention.Additionally, if desired for aesthetic purposes or to prevent moisturefrom entering the vertical supports 12, caps 18 can be installed on thetop of the vertical supports 12.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, a detailed view of the connection between thehorizontal rails 14 and the vertical supports 12 is shown. The ends 18of the horizontal rail 14 contact the outer face of two of the verticalposts 12 and the horizontal rails 14 are retained and supportedtherebetween. Preferably, the present invention includes at least twohorizontal rails 14 extending between each pair of vertical supports 12.It should be appreciated that when the present invention is assembled inconfigurations of multiple adjacent sections, each section does notrequire two distinct and separate vertical supports 12 as the secondsupport for a preceding section serves also as a first support for afollowing section. The horizontal rails 14 are supported by railconnectors 20 as will be more fully described below. As can best be seenin FIG. 3, the horizontal rails 14 are also tubular sections. While thecross-sectional profile is shown as being square, as stated above anysuitable or desirable profile may be used for the horizontal rails 14.

It can be further seen in FIG. 3 that the horizontal rails 14 includelinear grooves 22 therein to receive a fencing panel 16 should one bedesired in the particular fencing application. The fencing panel 16 is aflexible sheet of fabric material having pockets 24 extending along thetop and bottom edges thereof. The pockets 24 have a retention member 26placed therein to increase the overall thickness of the pocket 24 alongthe top and bottom edges. The retention tube 26 may be a dowel, afiberglass rod, a piece of polymer tubing or any other suitable materialfor this application. To install the panel 16 into the system, the toppocket 24 including the installed retention member 26 is slid into thegroove 22 in the top horizontal member 14 and the bottom pocket 24 issimilarly slid into the groove 22 in the bottom horizontal rail 14 andthe top and bottom rails 14 are installed between the vertical supports12. In this manner the panel 16 is held in a taughtly stretched mannercreating a fully closed fencing section. Optionally, as illustrated inFIG. 3 a, the horizontal rail 14 may include a reinforcing wall 28extending on its interior to maintain the dimensional stability of thecross section of the horizontal rail 14 and prevent the groove 22 fromopening and releasing the panel 16 when under load. Further, in place ofa continuous pocket 24 along the edge of the panels 16, a plurality oftabs that each include retention members could extend from the top andbottom edges thereof and be retained within the groove 22 in thehorizontal rails 14.

The fencing panel 16 may be formed from a woven or knit fabric in anydesired pattern of color. While the preferred material is polymer based,any other material such as canvas, laminated sheet goods or coatedcanvas could also be used and fall within the scope of the invention.Further the panel 16 may be formed using interwoven polymer webbingstrips to form a basket weave pattern. As can be appreciated the abovedisclosure related to the general pattern and configuration of thepanels 16 is meant to be illustrative and not limiting in any manner.

Turning now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 details of the rail connector 20 areshown. The rail connector 20 is installed into holes located in thesidewalls 30 of the vertical supports 12. The rail connector 20 includesa retention member 32 that extends outwardly from the vertical support12 when the rail connector 20 is in assembled relation with the verticalpost 12. The retention member 32 is configured to frictionally receiveand retain the ends 18 of the horizontal rails 14. As can be seen thetubular configuration of the horizontal rails 14 provide openings in theends 18 thereof that are received onto the retention member 32 of therail connector 20. The rail connector 20 includes retention clips 34that extend from the back of the retention member 32. When the railconnector 20 is installed onto the vertical post 12, the retention clips34 extend into the hole in the wall 30 of the vertical support 12 andengage the wall 30 to securely hold the rail connector 20 in assembledrelation with the vertical support 12. As can best be seen in FIG. 6,the rail connector 20 includes shoulders 36 that contact the outersurface of the vertical supports 12 and cooperate with the retentionclips 34 to engage the wall 30 of the vertical support 12. The retentionclips 34 are spring biased allowing them to deflect as the railconnector 20 is inserted into the hole in the vertical support 12 andreturn to their original, undeflected state wherein the tabs 38 at theends of the retention clips 34 engage the wall 30 of the verticalsupport 12. Additionally, the rail connector 20 may include a detent 40on the side of the retention member 32. The purpose of the detent 40 isto engage a hole located in the side wall of the horizontal rail 14 toprevent it from becoming dislodged from the rail connector 20.

The materials utilized for the vertical posts 12, horizontal rails 14and rail connectors 20 may be either metallic or polymer based. In thepreferred embodiment of the preset invention, polymer materials areutilized to reduce the cost, make the parts easier to handle and providelonger term durability and a cleaner appearance. The vertical supports12 and the horizontal rails 14 are preferably formed from extruded vinyland PVC, although any other suitable polymer may be employed. Furtherthe rail connector 20 is preferably formed from a polymer material suchas ABS, PVC, HDPE or polycarbonate.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment 100 of the presentinvention is shown. This embodiment is intended to illustrate aconfiguration wherein three horizontal rails 102 a-c are used inconjunction with two panels 104 a-b to create a customized fenceappearance. As described above, at least two vertical supports 106 arearranged is spaced parallel relationship. Three horizontal rails 102 a-care installed between the two vertical supports 106 utilizing railconnectors 20 as described above. While the top 102 c and bottom 102 arails each include one longitudinal groove in the walls thereof, themiddle rail 102 b includes a groove in both its top and bottom surface.In this manner a top panel 104 b can extend between the top rail 102 cand the middle rail 102 b and be retained in the groove in the top ofthe middle rail 102 b. Further, a bottom panel 104 a extends between thebottom rail 102 a and the groove in the bottom of the middle rail 102 b.In this manner, the installed fencing system 100 can have a customappearance and can include two panels 104 a-b having two differentpatterns, textures or appearances.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment rail connector 200. As wasprovided above, the rail connector 200 is installed into holes locatedin the sidewalls 30 of the vertical supports 12. This embodiment of therail connector 200 includes a retention member 210 that extendsoutwardly from the vertical support 12 when the rail connector 200 is inassembled relation with the vertical post 12. The retention member 210is configured to frictionally receive and retain the ends 18 of thehorizontal rails 14. As can be seen the tubular configuration of thehorizontal rails 14 provide openings in the ends 18 thereof that arereceived onto the retention member 210 of the rail connector 200. Therail connector 200 includes two opposing retention clips 212 that extendfrom the back of the retention member 210. When the rail connector 200is installed onto the vertical post 12, the opposing pair of retentionclips 212 extend into the hole in the wall 30 of the vertical support 12and engage the wall 30 to securely hold the rail connector 200 inassembled relation with the vertical support 12. The rail connector 200includes shoulders 214 that contact the outer surface of the verticalsupports 12 and cooperate with the retention clips 212 to engage thewall 30 of the vertical support 12. The retention clips 214 are springbiased allowing them to deflect as the rail connector 200 is insertedinto the hole in the vertical support 12 and return to their original,undeflected state wherein the tabs 216 at the ends of the retentionclips 214 engage the interior of the wall 30 of the vertical support 11.In its installed position, the shoulders 214 can be seen to contact theexterior surface of the wall of the vertical support 12 and the tabs 216on the retention clips 212 can be seen to engage the interior surface ofthe vertical support 12 thereby ensuring that the rail connector 200 issecurely retained in position on the vertical support 12. Additionally,the rail connector 200 may include detents 218 on the sides of theshoulders 214 extending from the rear of the retention member 210. Thepurpose of the detents 218 is to engage corresponding holes located inthe sidewall of the horizontal rail 14 to prevent it from becomingdislodged from the rail connector 200.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a hinge 300 is depicted that employs theteachings of the system of the present invention thereby allowing itsmodular incorporation into the fencing system of the present invention.The hinge 300 can be seen to include two opposing hinge panels 302, 304each of which respectively includes an upper and lower pivot assembly306 along a common edge. A pin 308 is inserted into a hole 310 in eachof the upper and lower pivot assemblies 306 thereby fastening theopposing hinge panels 302, 304 in pivoting relationship to one another.It can be further seen that an optional spring 312 may also be includedthat is installed at the juncture between the upper and lower pivotassemblies 306. The spring 312 can be seen to include first 314 andsecond 316 actuator arms that engage the opposing hinge panels 302, 304in a manner that creates a spring bias urging the two opposing hingepanels 302, 304 together in a normally closed position. The opposinghinge panels 302, 304 can also be seen to include two opposing retentionclips 318 that extend from the back surface of each of the hinge panels302, 304. When the opposing hinge panels 302, 304 are installed onto thevertical post and or a side rail of a gate, the opposing pair ofretention clips 318 extend into the hole in the wall 30 of the verticalsupport 12 as described above and engage the wall 30 to securely holdthe hinge 300 in assembled relation with the vertical support 12. Theretention clips 318 are spring biased allowing them to deflect as thehinge 300 is inserted into the hole in the vertical support 12 andreturn to their original, undeflected state wherein the tabs 320 at theends of the retention clips 318 engage the interior of the wall 30 ofthe vertical support 11. In its installed position, the rear surface 322of the hinge panels 302, 304 contact the exterior surface of the wall ofthe vertical support 12 and the tabs 320 on the retention clips 318engage the interior surface of the vertical support 12 thereby ensuringthat the hinge 300 is securely retained in position on the verticalsupport 12.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a snap together latch assembly 400 for use inconjunction with the system of the present invention. The latch 400includes a latch faceplate 402 that is received into a hole in thesidewall of a tubular extrusion. The latch faceplate 402 has tworetention clips 404 with tabs 406 on the ends thereof that areconfigured to engage the walls of the tubular extension as has beendescribed in detail above. Additionally, the latch faceplate 402includes a cylindrical bore 408 extending therethrough that slidablyreceives a latch body 410. The latch body 410 can be seen to include alatch pin 412 that is slidably received into the cylindrical bore 410 inthe latch faceplate 402 and has an interface means 414 for receiving andengaging at least one actuator 416. The latch body 410 is urged into afirst engaged position by a spring 418 that extends from the latch body410 to the latch faceplate 402. The at least one actuator 416 extendsthrough a slotted hole in the sidewall of the tubular extrusion and isreceived into the interface means 414 on the latch body 410. A useractuates the latch 400 by sliding the actuator 416 rearwardly, which inturn displaces the latch body 410 rearwardly against the spring tensioncausing the latch pin 412 to be withdrawn into the bore 408 in the latchfaceplate 402. When the user releases the actuator 416, the spring 418causes the latch body 410 to return to the engaged position.

FIG. 12 depicts a corner connector 500 that facilitates the connectionof two tubular rail members at a 90° angle to one another without theneed for a vertical support post. The corner connecter 500 includes tworail interfaces 502 extending from a body 504 and can be seen also toinclude detents 506 to retain a rail in the installed position asdescribed above.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a second alternate embodiment rail connector 600is provided. As was provided above, the rail connector 600 is installedinto holes located in the sidewalls 30 of the vertical supports 12. Therail connector 600, as described above, includes two opposing retentionclips 618 that extend from the back of the rail connector 600. When therail connector 600 is installed onto the vertical post 12, the opposingpair of retention clips 618 extend into the hole in the wall 30 of thevertical support 12 and engage the wall 30 to securely hold the railconnector 600 in assembled relation with the vertical support 12. Therail connector 600 includes shoulders 620 that contact the outer surfaceof the vertical supports 12 and cooperate with the retention clips 618to engage the wall 30 of the vertical support 12. The retention clips618 are spring biased allowing them to deflect as the rail connector 600is inserted into the hole in the vertical support 12 and return to theiroriginal, undeflected state wherein retention clips 618 engage theinterior of the wall 30 of the vertical support 11. In its installedposition, the shoulders 620 can be seen to contact the exterior surfaceof the wall of the vertical support 12 and the retention clips 618 canbe seen to engage the interior surface of the vertical support 12thereby ensuring that the rail connector 600 is securely retained inposition on the vertical support 12.

This embodiment of the rail connector 600 includes a retention member610 that extends outwardly from the vertical support 12 when the railconnector 600 is in assembled relation with the vertical post 12. Theretention member 610 includes an inner support 612 and an outer support614 to receive and retain the ends 18 of the horizontal rails 14. As canbe seen the tubular configuration of the horizontal rails 14 provideopenings in the ends 18 thereof that are received onto and about theinner support 612 while the outer support 614 has side walls thatencircle the outer surface of the ends 18 of the horizontal rails 14. Inthis manner, the retention member 610 portion of the rail connector 600fully supports the end of the horizontal rails 14. Beneficially, thisallows the horizontal rails 14 be cut shorter thereby leaving a gap 616at the ends thereof that allow room for thermal expansion of thehorizontal rails 14 while also concealing the gap 616 at the end of thehorizontal rails 14 within the outer support 614 walls. Additionally,the rail connector 600 may include detents 622 on the inner surface ofthe outer support 614. The purpose of the detents 622 is to engagecorresponding holes located in the sidewall of the horizontal rail 14 toprevent it from becoming dislodged from the rail connector 600.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a uniquemodular fencing system 10 that is inexpensive to fabricate yet is highlydurable and requires little maintenance. The fencing system 10 is easyto install, reconfigure and remove as required and is well suited to ado-it yourself installer. Further, the present invention can be modifiedand reused as required to facilitate temporary installations. For thesereasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significantadvancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A fence system comprising: at least two spaced tubular verticalsupport members, each of said vertical support members having side wallsand at least two vertically spaced holes in at least one side wallthereof; a rail connector, said rail connector configured to be receivedand retained in each of said holes in said support members, said railconnectors including a receiver portion, and a pair of opposingretention clips extending from a rear surface of said receiver portion,said retention clips configured to extend into said hole in saidsidewall of said vertical support and engage said sidewall to retainsaid rail connector in assembled relation with said vertical supportmember, wherein said receiver portion includes an inner support and anouter support, said inner support being positioned concentrically withinside walls of said outer support, said receiver portion extendingoutwardly from said side wall of said support members when assembledtherewith; and at least two horizontal rails, each of said rails havinga first end and a second end, each of said ends of said rails havingopenings therein, said openings configured to be received about saidinner support and within said outer support and, wherein said at leasttwo horizontal rails are supported in parallel spaced relation betweensaid at two vertical support members.
 2. The fence system of claim 1,said rail connector further comprising: a shoulder extending from therear surface of said receiver portion, said shoulder contacting an outersurface of said side wall of said vertical supports when said railconnector is in assembled relation therewith
 3. The fence system ofclaim 1, said rail connector further comprising: a locking detentextending inwardly from a said outer support of said receiver portion,said detent configured and arranged to engage a retention hole in theside of said horizontal rail when said end of said rail is in assembledrelation with said rail connector.
 5. The fence system of claim 1,wherein said vertical supports, said rail connectors and said horizontalrails are metallic.
 6. The fence system of claim 1, wherein saidvertical supports and said horizontal rails are formed from a materialselected from the group consisting of extruded vinyl and PVC.
 7. Thefence system of claim 1, wherein said rail connector is formed from apolymer material selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVC, HDPEand polycarbonate.
 8. A connector for attaching vertical and horizontalmembers of a fencing system, said connector comprising: a receiverportion including a back wall, an outer support extending upwardly fromsaid back wall and an inner support extending upwardly from said backwall and positioned concentrically within said outer support; and a pairof opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface of saidreceiver portion, said retention clips configured to extend into a holein a sidewall of said vertical member and engage said sidewall to retainsaid rail connector in assembled relation with said vertical member,wherein said receiver portion is configured and arranged to receive andretain said horizontal member.
 9. The connector of claim 8, wherein saidconnector is metallic.
 10. The connector of claim 8, wherein saidconnector is formed from a polymer material selected from the groupconsisting of ABS, PVC, HDPE and polycarbonate.
 11. The connector ofclaim 8, wherein said horizontal rail is received within said outersupport and about said inner support, such that an end of saidhorizontal rail does not extend to the back wall of said receiverportion forming a space between said end of said horizontal rail andsaid back wall of said receiver portion, said space allowing thermalexpansion of said horizontal rail.
 12. The connector claim 8, furthercomprising: a locking detent extending inwardly from a said outersupport of said receiver portion, said detent configured and arranged toengage a retention hole in the side of said horizontal rail when saidend of said rail is in assembled relation with said rail connector.